Drafting implement or device



' vice.

United States Patent 3,299,514 DRAFTING IMPLEMENT OR DEVICE Kermit K. Ingle, 125 E. South St., Hillsdale, Mich. 49242 Filed Oct. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 404,681 15 Claims. (Cl. 33-79) I This invention relates to a drafting implement or de- The main objects of the invention are,

First, to provide a drafting implement or device which greatly facilitates the preparation of drawings.

Second, to provide a drafting implement or device which includes a body member slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk, or the like, and ruller means capable of a wide range of use adjustment.

Third, to provide a drafting implement or device having these advantages and which includes a ruler support member which may be quickly adjusted to a wide range of use positions, with means for clampingly holding the support member in its adjusted position.

Fourth, to provide a drafting implement or device having these advantages with indicia for indicating the angular position of the ruler support member.

Fifth, to provide a drafting implement having these several advantages which may be compactly collapsed and when in collapsed position the ruler and its adjusting means are effectively housed and protected.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a desk top or drawing board with the drafting implement embodying my invention illustrated in one use position by full lines, in another use position by dotted lines, and in retracted position also by dotted lines. The parts are illustrated conventionally in this figure.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a drafting implement embodying my invention in one use position on a drawing board, structural details not illustrated in this FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view partly in horizontal section of a draftsmans implement embodying my invention, one extended use position being illustrated by full lines and another by dotted lines.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the implement 'of my invention shown fully collapsed.

FIG. 6 is a view of the collapsed implement in inverted position.

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the collapsed implement.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the collapsed implement on a line corresponding to line 8--8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a top fragmentary View partly in horizontal section illustrating structural details, including the means for securing the ruler support member in its adjusted position.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view partly in horizontal section showing further details of the means for securing the ruler support member in adjusted posit-ion.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section on a line corresponding to line 1111 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 1313 of FIG. 4.

FIG. r14 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 1414 of FIG. 9 illustrating details of the means for securing the parts in adjusted position.

In the accompanying drawing, 1 represents a desktop or table. It is conventionally shown, as it will be understood that implements embodying my invention are adapted for use on so-called drawing boards, desk tops, or the like. It is desired to point out that in the embodiment of my invention illustrated, the parts are made of thermoplastic material which is highly desirable, although they might be made of metal. The body member 2 is provided with a top flange portion 3 engageable with the top of the desk, and with a reinforcing flange 4 on its bottom edge, and with end flanges 5. The top member 6 is hingedly connected to the body member at 7, the hinge extending the full length of the top and bottom mebers, see FIGS. 2 and 3. The top member is provided with a centrally disposed inwardly projecting portion 8 desirably of triangular shape. The ruler support member 9 is also desirably formed of thermoplastic material and is desirably of a length aproximating that of the body member. It has a front flange 10, rear flange 11 and end flanges 12, being generally of channel section.

This support member 9 is pivotally connected at 13 to the rear end of the top member 6, the pivot being indicated at 14, see FIG. 3, the pivotal adjustment being illustrated in the drawings. The ruler support member 9 is provided with a central portion 15 disposed in vertically spaced overlapping relation to the portion 8 of the desk engaging top member 6 and it is provided with a scale indicia designated generally by the num eral 16 and having degree marks 15, 30 and 45 in both directions from zero. It will be understood that ths indicia may vary greatly as to the degree indicated.

The forward end of the portion 15 is in supported slidable engagement with the combined clamp and pointer member 17, which is desirably of molded thermoplastic material of triangular shape and provided with a slot 18 in its front wall. In the embodiment illustrated, the member 17 is provided with downwardly projecting pins 19 at its corners which are engaged within holes provided therefor in the top member 6. The clamp and pointer member 20 is mounted on the member 17 and is provided with a pointer 21 associated with the indicia ingly secured on the stem 23 below a lower clamp plate 123 by means of a nut 124 on the lower or inner end of the stem of the member 23 and in turn has flanges 125 which turn the nut. With this arrangement, the ruler support member is clampingly held in its adjusted position and the clamp is engaged and disengaged simply ligaswinging manipulation of the member 25 and the nut The ruler holder member 27 has a longitudinal slot 28 in its outer edge. In the embodiment illustrated, it is formed of sheet thermoplastic material which is heated to a degree that permits its being folded into the cross sectional shape illustrated so that it is adapted to detach- |ably receive the ruler 29 which is also desirably formed of thermoplastic sheet material and provided at its outer edtgie4with a scale, as conventionally indicated in FIGS. 2 an Patented Jan. 24, 1967 One advantage of this combination of ruler holder and ruler is that rulers with different types of scales or indicia may be inserted. There is also the advantage of the production and assembling. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the ruler holder member is adjustably connected to the tiltable ruler support member so that it may be manipulated to many use positions. The body unit being supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of the drawing board or desk and the ruler support member being tiltably adjustable, this tilting adjustment varies the angular position of the ruler when it is in use position.

The flexible strands 30 are of non-elastic material and their outer ends are retainingly engaged with the bight portion of the ruler support member 27. These strands are arranged through guides 31 disposed at the ends of the support member, see FIGS. 4 and 11. As it is desirable that they should be of considerable length, they are rove around the roller 32 which is mounted on the coupling member 33 to which the inner ends of the coiled springs 34 are connected, the outer ends of these springs being connected to the one end of the ruler support member. These strands are, as stated, in the embodiment illustrated rove around the roller on the coupling member and are supportingly connected to the strand support member 31 at the end of the ruler support member opposite to which the coiled springs 34 are connected. With this arrangement, the ruler support member may be pulled out to the desired degree and swung laterally as is illustrated by dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 4. In addition to that, the ruler support member can be tilted to the desired angular position, as is indicated in FIG. 2. Only one adjusted position is illustrated, but it will be understood that this member 9 may be tilted to the desired degree in either direction and secured in its adjusted position and that the ruler support member may be pulled out to the desired degree and swung laterally. This provides a very wide range of uses.

Another advantage of the embodiment of my invention illustrated is that the structure may be collapsed for handling, storage, or shipment, as is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8. When collapsed, the strands and the ruler parts are elfectively housed. In the embodiment illustrated, in collapsing it is only necessary to position the ruler on the inner side of the support member when the support member is in use position and collapsing the support member on the inner side of the body member. Desirably when that is done, the ruler support member is clampingly secured in its parallel relation to the body member.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical and desirable embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate various embodiments and adaptations, as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like and having an inwardly projecting flange .on its upper edge engageable with the top of the support on which the body member is disposed, a top member having an integral hinge connection to said flange of said body member, said top member having a centrally disposed inwardly projecting portion which is supportedly engageable with the flange on the lower edge of said body member when the top member is in collapsed position on the inner side of said body member, a ruler support member of inwardly facing channel cross section disposed upon said inwardly projecting portion of said top member and pivotally connected thereto at the outer edge thereof, said ruler support member having a centrally disposed forwardly projecting flange disposed in overlapping relation to said inwardly projecting portion of said top member, said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member having a curved outer edge and having scale indicia thereon, means on said body member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member including a clamp and pointer support member having an outwardly opening chamber therein, a clamp and pointer member supportedly mounted on said support member with its inner end in overlapping relation to said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member and having a pointer thereon associated with said indicia on said ruler support member, means for adjusting said clamp and pointer member to and from clamping position operatively connected thereto and disposed within said chamber and having a fingerpiece disposed at the front of said clamp and support member chamber, a ruler holder member having a longitudinal slot in its outer edge adapted to receive the inner edge of a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable in said slot in said ruler holder member, flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler holder member and disposed through openings adjacent the ends of the flange on the inner edge of said ruler support member, and resiliently extensible means disposed within said ruler support member and to which said strands are connected, said holder member with said ruler engaged therewith being housingly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

2. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like and having an inwardly projecting flange on its upper edge engageable with the top of the support on which the body member is disposed, a top member having an inwardly projecting portion hingedly connected to said flange of said body member, a ruler support member of inwardly facing channel cross section disposed upon said inwardly projecting portion of said top member and pivotally connected thereto at the outer edge thereof, said ruler support member having a centrally disposed forwardly projecting flange disposed in overlapping relation to said inwardly projecting portion of said top member, said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member having a curved outer edge and having scale indicia thereon, means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member including a clamp and pointer support member having an outwardly opening chamber therein, a clamp and pointer member supportedly mounted on said support member with its inner end in overlapping relation to said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member and having a pointer thereon associated with said indicia on said ruler support member, means for adjusting said clamp and pointer member to and from clamping position operatively connected thereto and disposed within said chamber and having a fingerpiece disposed at the front of said clamp and support member chamber, a ruler holder member having a longitudinal slot in its outer edge adapted to receive the inner edge of a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable in said slot in said ruler holder member, flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler holder member and disposed through openings adjacent the ends of the flange on the inner edge of said ruler support member, and resiliently extensible means disposed within said ruler support member and to which said strands are connected, said holder member with said ruler engaged therewith being housingly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

3. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like and having an inwardly projecting flange on its upper edge engageable with the top of the support on which the body member is disposed, a top member having an integral hinge connection to said flange of said body member, said top member having a centrally disposed inwardly projecting portion which is supportedly engageable with the flange on the lower edge of said body member when the top member is in collapsed position on the inner side of said body member, a ruler support member of inwardly facing channel cross section disposed upon said inwardly projecting portion of said top member and pivotally connected thereto at the outer edge thereof, said ruler support member having a centrally disposed forwardly projecting flange disposed in overlapping relation to said inwardly projecting portion of said top member, said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member having a curved outer edge and having scale indicia thereon, means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member, a ruler holder member having a longitudinal slot in its outer edge adapted to receive the inner edge of a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable in said slot in said ruler holder member, flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler holder member and disposed through openings adjacent the ends of the flange on the inner edgeof said ruler support member, and resiliently extensible means disposed within said ruler support member and to which said strands are connected, said holder member with said ruler engaged therewith being housingly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

4. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like and having an inwardly projecting flange on its upper edge engageable with the top of the support on which the body member is disposed, a top member having an inwardly projecting portion hingedly connected to said flange of said body member, a ruler support of inwardly facing channel cross section disposed upon said inwardly projecting portion of said top member and pivotally connected thereto at the outer edge thereof, said ruler support member having a centrally disposed forwardly projecting flange disposed in overlapping relation to said inwardly projecting portion of said top member, said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member having a curved outer edge and having scale indicia thereon, means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member, a ruler holder member having a longitudinal slot in its outer edge adapted to receive the inner edge of a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable in said slot in said ruler holder member, flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler holder member and disposed through openings adjacent the ends of the flange on the inner edge of said ruler support member, and resiliently extensible means disposed within said ruler support member and to which said strands are connected, said holder member with said ruler engaged therewith being housingly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

5. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like and having an inwardly projecting flange on its upper edge engageable with the top of the support on which the body member is disposed, a top member having an integral hinge connection to said flange of said body member, said top member having a centrally disposed inwardly projecting portion which is supportedly engageable with the flange on the lower edge of said body member when the top member is in collapsed position on the inner side of said body member, a ruler support member of inwardly facing channel cross section disposed upon said inwardly projecting portion of said top member and pivotally connected thereto at the outer edge thereof, said ruler support member having a portion disposed in overlapping relation to a portion of said top member, said overlapping portion of said ruler support member having scale indicia thereon, means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member including a clamp and pointer support member having an outwardly opening chamber therein, a clamp and pointer member supportedly mounted on said support member with its inner end in overlapping relation to said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member and having a point-er thereon associated with said indicia on said ruler support member, means for adjusting said clamp and pointer member to and from clamping position operatively connected thereto and disposed within said chamber and having a fingerpiece disposed at the front of said clamp and support member chamber, a ruler unit, flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler unit disposed through openings adjacent the ends of the flange on the inner edge of said ruler support member, and resiliently extensible means disposed within said ruler support member and to which said strands are connected, said ruler unit being housingly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

6. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like and having an inwardly projecting flange on its upper edge engageable with the top of the support on which the body member is disposed, a top member having an inwardly projecting portion having an integral hinge connection to said flange of said body member, a ruler support member of inwardly facing channel cross section disposed upon said inwardly projecting portion of said top member and pivotally connected thereto at the outer edge thereof, said ruler support member having a portion disposed in overlapping relation to a portion of said top member, said overlapping portion of said ruler support member having scale indicia thereon, means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member including a clamp and pointer support member having an outwardly opening chamber therein, a clamp and pointer member supportedly mounted on said support member with its inner end in overlapping relation to said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member and having a pointer thereon associated with said indicia on said ruler support member, means for adjusting said clamp and pointer member to and from clamping position operatively connnected thereto and disposed within said chamber and having a fingerpiece disposed at the front of said clamp and support member chamber, a ruler unit, flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler unit disposed through openings adjacent the ends of the flange on the inner edge of said ruler support member, and resiliently extensible means disposed within said ruler support member and to which said strands are connected, said ruler unit being housingly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

7. A draftsmans implement comprising a body mem ber supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like and having an inwardly projecting flange on its upper edge engageable with the top of the support on which the body member is disposed, a top member having an integral hinge connection to said flange of said body member, said top member having a centrally disposed inwardly projecting portion which is supportedly engageable with the flange on the lower edge of said body member when the top member is in collapsed position on the inner side of said body member, a ruler support member of inwardly facing channel cross section disposed upon said inwardly projecting portion of said top member and pivotally connected thereto at the outer edge thereof, said ruler support member having a portion disposed in overlapping relation to a portion of said top member, said overlapping portion of said ruler support member having scale indicia thereon, means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member, a ruler unit flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler unit disposed through openings adjacent the ends of the flange on the inner edge of said ruler support member, and resiliently extensible means disposed within said ruler support member and to which said strands are connected, said ruler unit being housingly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

8. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing boar-d, desk top, or the like and having an inwardly projecting flange on its upper edge engageable with the top of the support on which the body member is disposed, a top member having an integral hinge connection to said flange of said body member, a ruler support member of inwardly facing channel cross section disposed upon said top member and pivotally connected thereto at the outer edge thereof, said ruler support member having a portion disposed in overlapping relation to a portion of said top member, said overlapping portion of said ruler support member having scale indicia thereon, means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions, a ruler unit, flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler unit disposed through openings adjacent the ends of the flange on the inner edge of said ruler support member, and resiliently extensible means disposed within said ruler support member and to which said strands are connected, said ruler unit being housingly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

9. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like, a top member having an integral hinge con-nection to said body member to permit its collapsing on the inner side thereof, a ruler support member disposed upon said top member and piv-otally connected thereto for swinging adjustment relative thereto, said ruler support member having a forwardly projecting centrally disposed portion disposed in overlapping relation to said top member, said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member having indicia thereon, manually adjustable means on said top member tor securing said ruler support member in its angularly adjusted positions relative to said body member including clamping means supportedly mounted on said top member in operative relation to said forwardly projecting portion of said ruler support member and having a pointer member thereon associated with said indicia on said ruler support member, manually operable means for adjusting said clamping means to and from clamping position, a ruler holder member adapted to supportedly receive a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable with said ruler holder means, flexible strands connecting said ruler holder member to said ruler support member, and automatically acting retracting means for said strands supportedly mounted on the inner side of said ruler support member, said ruler holder member with the ruler engaged therewith being collapsedly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

10. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like, a top member having an integral hinge con-nection to said body member to permit its collapsing on the inner side thereof, a ruler support member disposed upon said top member and pivotally connected thereto for swinging adjustment relative thereto, said ruler support member having a portion disposed in overlapping relation to said top member and having indicia thereon, manually adjustable means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its angularly adjusted positions relative to said body member including clamping means supportedly mounted on said top member, manually operable means tor adjustitng said clamping means to and from clamping position, a ruler holder member adapted to supportedly receive a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable with said ruler holder means, flexible strands connecting said ruler holder member to said ruler support member, and automatically acting retracting means for said strands supportedly mounted on the inner side of said ruler support member, said ruler holder member with the ruler engaged therewith being collapsedly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

11. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly engageable with the edge of a drawing board, desk top, or the like, a top member having an integral hinge connection to said body member to permit its collapsing on the inner side thereof, said body and top members being unitarily formed of thermoplastic material, a ruler support member disposed upon said top member and piv-otally connected thereto for swinging adjustment relative thereto, said ruler support member having a portion disposed in overlapping relation to said top member and having indicia thereon, manually adjustable means .on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its angularly adjusted positions relative to said body member including clamping means supportedly mounted on said top member, manually operable means for adjusting said clamping means to and from clamping position, a ruler holder member adapted to supportedly receive a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable with said ruler holder means, flexible strands connecting said ruler holder member to said ruler support member, and automatically acting retracting means for said strands supportedly mounted on the inner side of said ruler support member, said ruler holder member with the ruler engaged therewith being collapsedly positionable between said body member :and ruler support member.

12. A draftsmans implement comprising a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board or the like, a top member pivotally connected to said body member to permit its collapsing on the inner side thereof, a ruler support member pivotally connected to said top member for swinging adjustment relative to said body member, said ruler support member including a portion having indicia thereon disposed in overlapping relation to said top member, manually adjustable means on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member, a ruler holder member adapted to supportedly receive a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable with said ruler holder means, flexible strands connected to said ruler holder member, and automatically acting retracting means for said strands supportedly mounted on the inner side of said ruler support member, said ruler holder member with the ruler engaged therewith being collapsedly positionable between said body member and ruler support member.

13. A draftsmanls implement comprising a body member supportedly engageable with the edge of a drawing board or the like, a ruler support member pivotally connected to said body member for swinging adjustment relative to the drawing board or the like with which said body member is in supported engagement, said ruler support member having a forwardly projecting portion overlying a portion of said .body member which is in supported engagement with the desk or the like with which said body member is in use position, means on said body member .fior securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions including a clamp supportedly mounted on said support member with a portion thereof in overlapping relation to a portion of said ruler support member, means for adjusting said clamp operatively connected thereto and provided with a fingerpiece projecting from said support member, a ruler unit, flexible strands connected to the ends of said ruler unit, and means for retracting said strands mounted on said ruler support member.

14. A draftsmans implement comprising, a body member supportedly and slidably engageable with the edge of a drawing board or the like, an elongated top member hingedly connected to said body member, a ruler support member pivotally connected to said top member for angular adjustment relative to said body member, said ruler support member including a portion disposed in overlapping relation to said top member, manually adjustable means supportedly mounted on said top member for securing said ruler support member in its adjusted positions relative to said body member, said ruler support member having means for supportedly receiving a ruler, a ruler supportedly and detachably engageable with said ruler support member, flexible nonelastic strands connected to said ruler holder member, and automatically acting retracting means for said strands supportedly mounted on the inner side of said ruler support member.

15. A dra-ftsmans implement comprising, a body member supportedly and slidea'bly en-ga-geable with the edge of a dawing board or the like, an elongated top member hingedly connected to the side of the body member, a ruler support member pivotally connected to said top References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,160,130 5/I1939 De Lisle 33-79 3,180,027 4/ 196 5 Ingle 3379 FOREIGN PATENTS 155,153 12/ 1920 Great Britain.

LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner.

20 H. N. HAROIAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DRAFTSMAN''S IMPLEMENT COMPRISING A BODY MEMBER SUPPORTEDLY AND SLIDABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE EDGE OF A DRAWING BOARD, DESK TOP, OR THE LIKE AND HAVING AN INWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE ON ITS UPPER EDGE ENGAGEABLE WITH THE TOP OF THE SUPPORT ON WHICH THE BODY MEMBER IS DISPOSED, A TOP MEMBER HAVING AN INTEGRAL HINGE CONNECTION TO SAID FLANGE OF SAID BODY MEMBER, SAID TOP MEMBER HAVING A CENTRALLY DISPOSED INWARDLY PROJECTING PORTION WHICH IS SUPPORTEDLY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE FLANGE ON THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID BODY MEMBER WHEN THE TOP MEMBER IS IN COLLAPSED POSITION ON THE INNER SIDE OF SAID BODY MEMBER, A RULER SUPPORT MEMBER OF INWARDLY FACING CHANNEL CROSS SECTION DISPOSED UPON SAID INWARDLY PROJECTING PORTION OF SAID TOP MEMBER AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED THERETO AT THE OUTER EDGE THEREOF, SAID RULER SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A CENTRALLY DISPOSED FORWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE DISPOSED IN OVERLAPPING RELATION TO SAID INWARDLY PROJECTING PORTION OF SAID TOP MEMBER, SAID FORWARDLY PROJECTING PORTION OF SAID RULER SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING A CURVED OUTER EDGE AND HAVING SCALE INDICIA THEREON, MEANS ON SAID BODY MEMBER FOR SECURING SAID RULER SUPPORT MEMBER IN ITS ADJUSTED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID BODY MEMBER INCLUDING A CLAMP AND POINTER SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AN OUTWARDLY OPENING CHAMBER THEREIN, A CLAMP AND POINTER MEMBER SUPPORTEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER WITH ITS INNER END IN OVERLAPPING RELATION TO SAID FORWARDLY PROJECTING PORTION OF SAID RULER SUPPORT MEMBER AND HAVING A POINTER THEREON ASSOCIATED WITH SAID INDICIA ON SAID RULER SUPPORT MEMBER, MEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID CLAMP AND POINTER MEMBER TO AND FROM CLAMPING POSITION OPERATIVELY CONNECTED THERETO AND DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CHAMBER AND HAVING A FINGERPIECE DISPOSED AT THE FRONT OF SAID CLAMP AND SUPPORT MEMBER CHAMBER, A RULER HOLDER MEMBER HAVING A LONGITUDINAL SLOT IN ITS OUTER EDGE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE INNER EDGE OF A RULER, A RULER SUPPORTEDLY AND DETACHABLY ENGAGEABLE IN SAID SLOT IN SAID RULER HOLDER MEMBER, FLEXIBLE STRANDS CONNECTED TO THE ENDS OF SAID RULER HOLDER MEMBER AND DISPOSED THROUGH OPENINGS ADJACENT THE ENDS OF THE FLANGE ON THE INNER EDGE OF SAID RULER SUPPORT MEMBER, AND RESILIENTLY EXTENSIBLE MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID RULER SUPPORT MEMBER AND TO WHICH SAID STRANDS ARE CONNECTED, SAID HOLDER MEMBER WITH SAID RULER ENGAGED THEREWITH BEING HOUSINGLY POSITIONABLE BETWEEN SAID BODY MEMBER AND RULER SUPPORT MEMBER. 